Clark U. prof hit by truck on I-290 in critical condition

A Northboro man, a professor at Clark University, is in critical condition today after he was struck by a tractor-trailer Monday morning on Interstate 290 west.

State police this morning identified the 42-year-old man as John Garton. Officials at UMass Memorial Medical Center-University Campus in Worcester said Mr. Garton is in critical condition.

State police said the circumstances of the case remain under investigation.

Preliminary reports show that shortly after 9 a.m. Mr. Garton pulled his 2000 Honda Civic into the breakdown lane on I-290 west near exit 24. A short time later he was hit by a passing tractor-trailer.

Mr. Garton is an associate professor of art history at Clark University in Worcester.

"Our hearts go out to Professor Garton and his family and we are hopeful for his full recovery," said Clark President David Angel.